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Marijuana plants seized in Vale

Two Catawba County police agencies assisted Thursday in a Lincolnton drug bust of a marijuana-growing operation.

Narcotics officers from the Catawba County Sheriff's Office and Newton Police Department worked with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office's Drug Interdiction Criminal Enforcement team to arrest a Vale man accused of growing and selling marijuana from his home.

Police executed a search warrant Thursday at the home of Dutch Douglas Heafner, 54, on Dave Peterson Lane in Vale. Four officers seized 6 ounces of marijuana, 14 marijuana plants from an indoor growing operation, eight firearms and $700 in U.S. currency.

Heafner was charged with one count of firearm possession by a convicted felon, three counts of possession with intent to manufacture, three counts of selling and delivering marijuana and one count of maintaining a dwelling for selling and delivering marijuana.

He was transported to Harven A. Crouse Detention Center in Lincolnton on a $60,000 secured bond.

Catawba County Sheriff Coy Reid said Thursday's arrest is the result of collaboration among several law enforcement agencies.

The agencies have narcotics officers who serve on a joint task force.
"We work together," Reid said.